Lubbock Planned Parenthood chief won't return after charges

The president and CEO of the Planned Parenthood Association of Lubbock has been placed on leave and will no longer serve as the affiliate’s chief officer, according to a statement Wednesday from Mariah Sharpe, chairwoman of the association.

Tony Ray Thornton, 56, was arrested and accused of exposing his genitals in Mackenzie Park on Monday, authorities said.

Sgt. Jonathan Stewart, Lubbock Police Department spokesman, said he did not know whether children were in the area when Thornton was in the park or how many people were present.

Stewart said he had no other details to release to the public about the incident.

Repeated attempts by Morris News Service to contact Thornton have been unsuccessful.

The police report lists a 43-year-old male victim.

State law defines a victim as a person who is present and offended during someone’s public exposure of genitals, Stewart said.

Thornton was released from the Lubbock County Jail on Tuesday, online records show.

Tara Haskell, formerly the director of finance at the local affiliate, will take over as interim CEO of Planned Parenthood of Lubbock, according to Sharpe’s statement.